House Fisheries Committee hears from fish board nominees

  • By MOLLY DISCHNER Morris News Service-Alaska
  • Tuesday, April 8, 2014 11:04pm
  • News

The House Fisheries Committee held a short hearing on Gov. Sean Parnell’s appointees to the Board of Fisheries today, and public testimony on the incumbents was mixed.

Parnell appointed Sue Jeffrey of Kodiak, John Jensen of Petersburg and Reed Morisky of Fairbanks to the board April 2.

Today, the committee heard briefly from the appointees and the public, including several fishing organizations. The hearing was somewhat rushed as the representatives had been called to the floor shortly after.

Jeffrey and Jensen fish commercially and are generally considered commercial representatives on the board; Morisky is a guide and is considered a sport representative.

Current Board of Fisheries chair Karl Johnstone supported all three incumbents, praising Jeffrey’s work ethic and availability to the public, Morisky’s focus on the resource and Jensen’s long history on the board and in an array of Alaska fisheries.

Certain other groups also supported all three, including the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Fish and Wildlife Commission and Kenai River Sportfishing Association, or KRSA.

KRSA Executive Director Ricky Gease praised Jeffrey for being accessible.

“She is open to anybody who wants to come up and ask her questions, she makes herself available to the public,” he said.

Others offered mixed reports on the three.

Paul Shadura supported Jeffrey and Jensen on behalf of the Kenai Peninsula Fishermen’s Association, but said he spoke for the South KBeach Independent Fishermen’s Association when he opposed Morisky serving another term.

Shadura said Jeffrey’s commitment and skills improved the board process, and praised Jensen for listening to stakeholders and working to understand the complexities of fisheries management.

Ninilchik fisherman John McCombs said he attended the full board meeting in Anchorage and didn’t appreciate how the board generated and passed proposals without enough public input, or the push to make Cook Inlet management more closely mirror Bristol Bay.

As a result, he opposed offering the incumbents — including the commercial representatives — another term.

Chris Garcia, also participating from Kenai, said he also wanted to see new blood on the board.

That Alaska State House and Senate are scheduled to meet in a joint session to confirm the appointments April 17.

The committee sent the nominees forward for the hearing, but Rep. Paul Seaton noted that the motion to do so did not indicate support or opposition to any of the three individuals.

More in News

Rep. Justin Ruffridge, a Soldotna Republican who co-chairs the House Education Committee, speaks in favor overriding a veto of Senate Bill 140 during floor debate of a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature on Monday. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)
By 1 vote, lawmakers sustain Dunleavy veto of education bill

The bipartisan bill included $680 increase to per-student funding

The Sterling Highway crosses the Kenai River near the Russian River Campground on March 15, 2020, near Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Russian River Campground closed for construction

The campground is expected to reopen on June 2

A man fishes in the Kenai River on July 16, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion/file)
Fish and Game announces series of closures and restrictions for king salmon fisheries

Cook Inlet king salmon stocks are experiencing a prolonged period of poor productivity, the department said

Montessori materials sit on shelves in a classroom at Soldotna Montessori Charter School on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Education debate draws state attention to peninsula charter schools

Dunleavy would like to see a shift of authority over charter school approvals from local school districts to the state

The Nikiski Senior Center stands under sunlight in Nikiski, Alaska, on Thursday, March 14, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Support available for community caregivers

Nikiski Senior Center hosts relaunched Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program

Flags flank the entrance to Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s office on Thursday, March 14, 2024, in Juneau, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Dunleavy vetoes bipartisan education bill

Senate Bill 140 passed the House by a vote of 38-2 and the Senate by a vote of 18-1 last month

The Alaska State Capitol on Friday, March 1, 2024, in Juneau, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
House passes bill altering wording of sex crimes against children

The bill is sponsored by Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer

Ben Meyer and Brandon Drzazgowski present to the Soldotna and Kenai Chambers of Commerce at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Watershed Forum gives update on streambank restoration

The watershed forum and other organizations are working to repair habitat and mitigate erosion

The entrance to the Kenai Police Department, as seen in Kenai, Alaska, on April 1, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai resident arrested on charges of arson

Kenai Police and Kenai Fire Department responded to a structure fire near Mountain View Elementary

Most Read